Concrete-block construction.



w. c. PARMLEY. CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION;

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2. 1915.

1,258,805. mm M12, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET W. C. PARMLEY. v CONCRETE BLOCK CONSTRUCTION; APPLICATION men IUNEIZ- 1915.

1,258,805. Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

2 shins-sh n z,

WALTER C. PARIVILEY, 0E UPPER 1V[ONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

CONCRETE-BLOCK CONSTRUCTION.

eas es.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

Application filed June 12, 1915. Serial No. 33,681.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER C. PARw EY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Upper Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Concrete-Block Constructions, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion. v

This invention relates to structures composed of blocks, preferably concrete blocks, and the structure may assume a tubular arch or segmental form, or may be useful in other forms of construction.

The object of the invention is to provide block construction such that pressure may readily be applied to certain portions of the block without injury to the remaining portions of the block.

Generally speaking, the invention comprises the elements and combinations set forth in the accompanying claims.

Reference should be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective portion of a tubular construction of blocks; Fig. 2 shows a grooved block; Fig. 3 shows a block tunnel lining embodying certain features of the invention; Fig. it shows a block embodying certain features of my invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a pressure head which may be used in connection with my invention; Fig. 6 shows in top plan view an assemblage of blocks embodying my invention; Fig. 7 shows blocks which embody my invention; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of blocks embodying my invention; Fig. 9 is a top plan view of rows of blocks embodying my invention; Fig. 10 shows in perspective a core of resistant material; and Fig. 11 shows in perspective another form of core.

The invention is herein described. as embodied in a tubular concrete construction, in which the blocks are laid in successive transverse rows, the blocks in each row abutting against the forward edge of the row against which it is laid.

In utilizing a structure of this kind perhaps its most general use would be found as a lining for tunnels. The usual method of excavating tunnels is by hand excavation, but, under certain conditions, a tunneling machine which works within a shield may be used, and as the tunneling machine removes earth the shield is periodic lly moved forward by means of hydraulic jacks which push the shieldforward, using the face of the last row of blocks as an abutment.

V The pressure to which the blocks are thus subjected is at times enormous, and frequently the blocks will fracture under the pressure applied.

This fracturing of the blocks is very frequently, perhaps it might be said generally, due to the fact that the blocks in each ring do not bear evenly and flatly against the preceding ring or row of blocks.

' In theory, there is complete contact between the adjacent faces in rows of blocks, but in practice this is pretty hard to attain. It usually happens, for various reasons, that the blocks do not match up and engage each other flatly, but that they engage each other at one or more points, and frequently overhang.

In Figs. 6, 7, and particularly in Fig. 8, I have tried to indicate in a rough way, exaggerated perhaps, the positions that blocks may assume in adjacent rows of blocks. It will there be seen that if the blocks in the two rows were brought against each other without the interposition of the lugs, as shown therein, the block 1 and the block 2 would through portions engage with each other, but that the block 2 would overhang the point 3 of the block 1. If pressure were then applied against the end of the block 2, beyond the point 3, it would produce a beam action on the block and would undoubtedly cause the block to fracture. I believe that it is some such action as this which usually causes blocks to fracture under the circumstances which have been discussed.

In the invention disclosed in this application it is my purpose to provide a construction which will remedy or prevent the failure of the blocks under theconditions which have heretofore been discussed.

This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, but underlying them all is the intention to provide some means which will permit each block to be engaged at one or two points only, so that the block will adjust itself with relation to the adjacent blocks, that there will be no overhang or no chance for a beam action being setup when presrange the blocks that the points of contact of the blocks in succeeding rowsof blocks will be in alinement. 'When, therefore, pressure is applied to the blocks, as by jacks, the jacks will be so positioned that they will apply their pressure in line with the points of contact between blocks in adjacent rows, and thus the pressure will be transmitted through a line, or, more correctly speaking, through an area which is in contact with the succeeding row of blocks, thus relieving the main body portion of the block of the greater portions of the stresses due to the applied pressure.

In Fig. 1 I have shown one method by which this invention may be carried out. In this figure there are shown succeeding rows of blocks 4; and 5. Each row of blocks is made up of a plurality of curved blocks, the ends of which abut. l term the face 6 the forward face of the block, and hereafter, in referring to the forward face of any block, I shall so designate such a face as is marked 6 in Fig. 1. Likewise, I shall refer to the opposite face of the block which would be toward the row 5 as the rear face. I shall term the outer face of the block that portion which is upon the outside of the tubular structure, and I shall term the inner face of the block that-portion which is toward the inner part of the structure. The face 6 may be provided with extending portions or heads 7 These heads are formed preferably at the quarter pointsof the block and project above the surface which surrounds them. In the instance shown in Fig. 1, these heads are adapted to engage and contact with the rear face of the blocks shown in row 8, so that the rows fh and 8 will be slightly spaced from each other except where the heads 7 engage with the blocks. The space between the blocks will be subsequently filled with mortar or cement grout. In Fig. l I have shown the blocks in rows 4 and 8 as of the tongue and groove type. The blocks 8 have a tongue upon their rear surface, while the blocks in row 4 have a groove in the front surface, the heads extending above the surface of thc groove. This arrangement enables an easier seating of the blocks with respect to each other, and assists in properly alining the blocks.

If desired, I may use a block, such as shown in Fig. 2, in which block 9 is provided with a groove 10in its face, also a groove 11 on one end thereof, and there will be a projection or tongue on the lower part of the block. This groove 11 would be adapted to engage with the tongue of an adjacent block in the row. This tongue and groove construction facilitates in the placingof the blocks of a row.

Preferably, the blocks in each succeeding row will be staggeredwith respect-to the blocks in the preceding row. This is clearly shown in Fig. 1. But I do not limit myself 1 in this respect. However, I have provided a construction by placing the heads 7 at the quarter points, which readily permits of the staggered construction or of alining the blocks in longitudinal alinement. Vfhether the blocks be staggered or not, the blocks in each succeding row will be so placed that a head 7 in each block is in alinement with a head 7 in the adjacent block of the pre ceding row, so that all the heads are in longitudinal alinement, and any pressure which is applied to the block will be applied so as to bear upon a head, and this pressure will be transmitted from row to row of blocks through portions defined by the areas of the heads.

In Fi 6 I have also shown the arrangement or blocks such as has just been described. In this it will be seen that each block is provided with a head 7 and that the heads 7 in the adjacent rows of blocks are in substantial alinement.

In certain instances it may be preferable to provide a block with projecting portions upon opposite faces. This I have shown in Fig. 8 wherein the blocks 1 and 2 are provided with projecting portions 2*, 2 2 and 2 and the block 1 with the projections 1, l 1 and 1 It will be seen that the projections, such as 1' and 1 upon a given block are in. aliiiement and extend from the V opposite faces.

The block 2 will engage the block 1 through the engagement of the projections 1 and 2 and also the block 2 will engage the block beyond the block 1 through the projection 2. It will thus be seen that the block 2 finds two points of support, and in constructing the blocksit is the intention to make the projections upon the block of sufficient height so that they will space the blocks a suilicient distance to prevent the possibility of the block 2 touching at the point 3 of block 1. It will be apparent, even if the rows of blocks'are not arranged in strict uniformity, or, in other words, if the blocks are somewhat out of alinement, as indicated in Fig. 8, that this will make very little difierence so far as the seating of the blocks is concerned, for the blocks will en upon the projecting lugs and this will afford two good points of contact. It will appear, also, that the lugs in blocks of adjacent rows are in alinement, so that pressure applied to the last or outermost row of blocks will have the pressure transmitted through the various rows of blocks through the heads or projecting portions which have just been described.

The projecting portions, such as the heads 7, are preferably formed as integral portions to the block. However, they'may be of otl'ie'rmat'erial, as for'instance, pieces of easier than the mixture of the block itself.

Therefore, when pressure is applied to the blocks these head portions would crush slightly andthis in certain instances would be desirable, as it would tend to equalize pressure and would bring the block into a closer and more complete bearing relation, and, further, would compact the grout filling between the rows of blocks. Of course, the amount of crushing of these projecting portions could be controlled by the quality of the mixture of which the projecting portions are made up.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a form of construction in which the portion of the block adapted to receive the pressure partakes of the nature of a core through the block, which core is so formed as to otter moreresistance to pressure than the remaining portions of the block, so that pressure applied to these portions will be transmitted through these portions only without engaging in any material. degree the remaining portions of the block.

This result may be accomplished in numerous ways. In Fig. 7 I have shown a band 12, preferably of iron or similar material, which is arranged as a spiral and extends through the block. This band may be molded in the block at the time the block is made, so that the spiral band incloses a portion of cement which is of the same mixture as the mixture of the block itself. However, the portion within the spiral 12 is banded so that its strength against crushing is very greatly increased, and the core of cement within the band 12 would be able to withstand a very much higher pressure than would the block in general. The core within the block 12 would extend, in the form of projections, upon the outer surfaces of the block, or, it could be made to extend from one surface in a manner similar to the construction of the blocks in Fig. 6. Furthermore, this idea may be embodied in a single, perhaps centrally arranged, core, or it may be embodied in such construction as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, wherein there are a plurality projections extending from a single face or opposite faces of the block. In any event, the function of these portions will be the same as that heretofore described, viz: to provide an area which is by construction more adapted to sustain a high pressure than the remaining portions of the block.

The spiral 12 shown in Fig. 7 is but-illustrative, and other constructions may be employed to accomplish the same result, the underlying idea being to present a banded core for the purposes described.

It may, under certain circumstances, be desirable to construct the core, as shown in Fig. '7, that is to say the portion within the spiral portion 12, of a richer cement mixture than the remainder of the block; or, the spiral may be filled with neat cement, which will present a core adapted to withstand very hi h pressures.

In carrying forward the idea of provlding a core, I may utilize a construction in which the core is separately made and inserted in the block. In such cases a block such as shown at 13, in Fig. 4:, may be molded with cylindrical or other shaped openings 14 extending through the same; and core 15, such as shown in Fig. 10, may be molded so as to fit within the opening 14:; and after the block is hardened and the core is made, the two may be brought together in the manner suggested. Under these circumstances the core may be made of any ma terial which is desired, and in many instances I would desire to place a longitudinally extending rod 16 or reinforcing memher from the core 15. The core 15 may be held within the opening 14L in any desired manner, and as one way of accomplishing this I mi ht use pitch, paper, or any substance which would cause the core to remain within the opening 14. This construction has an advantage in that the core under pressure may move with respect to the block and thus would prevent any possible injury to the block in case of exceedingly high pressures. The paper or pitch holding the core in its opening 14 would, of course, permitrelative movement of the core and the block.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a core 17. This core is formed of cementitious material with a longitudinal member extending within the same. The inner member in the same does not extend to the ends of the core 17. Such a core, of course, may be either rectangular in cross section, as shown, or cylindrical, or any other form. The core 17 is inserted in an opening of suitable form, such as the opening l-t in Fig. at, and is held in itsopening as previously suggested, by paper, pitch, or similar material. The ends of the core extend slightly beyond the edges of the block, and the ends of the cores in adjacent rows of blocks abut against each other. The ends of such cores as 17 mightbe so formed as to slightly crush under certain pressure, in order to secure a close seating of the blocks with respect to each other.

In connection with such blocks as are shown in Fig. 4-, wherein the opening extends through the blocks, I may employ cores which extend into the openings of the ad acent blocks 1n adjacent rows. This 1s shown in Fig. 9, wherein the block 19 and extend into the blocks of the row in' which the block 19 is located. This construction would facilitate the placing of the blocks in each succeeding row, as the cores would provide pins by which the blocks could be centered. The cores all being in contact and in alinement would be available to transmit the pressure of the jacks in the same manner as the constructions which have heretofore been described.

While I have not shown any reinforcing rods in connection with the block structure herein described, it will be understood that any desired form of reinforcement for the blocks, both longitudinally and transversely of the structure, may be used, and, further, that all the openings occasioned by the spacing of the blocks will be filled with mortar or cement grout.

While I have described my invention as embodied in a tubular structure, it is evident that the invention would be useful in arch construction, or segmental arch construction. In the claims I have used the term structure having a rounded wall, and by this term I mean to include tubular structures, arches, segmental arches, or similar structures.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a tunnel or arch structure having a rounded wall, composed of blocks, a plurality of contiguous transverse annular rows of blocks, each block being formed with an opening extending therethrough, and a core extending within and through said opening and projecting beyond at least one surface to form a head whereb lon itudinal thrust a y a in the tunnel structure is transmitted through the core members.

2. In a tunnel or arch structure having a rounded wall, composed of blocks, a plurality of contiguous transverse annular rows of blocks, each block being formed with an opening extending therethrough, and a core seated within said opening, and means for frictionally holding the core within the opening, said core extending beyond at least one of the surfaces of the block to form a head, whereby longitudinal thrust in the tunnel structure is transmitted through the core members. 7

3. In a tunnel or arch structure having a rounded wall, composed of blocks, a block having an opening therethrough, a core of the shape and size of said opening and extending through the opening, said core being slightly longer than the opening, thereby providing projecting heads, whereby longitudinal thrust in the tunnel structure is transmitted through the core members.

4. In a tunnel or arch structure having a rounded wall, a tunnel or arch. construction composed of a plurality of blocks arranged in transverse rows, each of said blocks being provided with an opening, said openings in the blocks in adjacent rows of blocks being alined in the assembled structure, core members inserted in said openings and extending longitudinally with respect to the finished structure, whereby longitudinal thrust in the tunnel structure is transmitted through the core members.

5. In a tunnel or arch structure having a rounded wall, a portion of transverse rows of blocks, each block being provided with an opening, said opening in blocks being in alinement, core members extending within said openings and longitudinally with re spect to the assembled blocks, the meeting points of said cores being intermediate the joints between successive rows of blocks, whereby longitudinal thrust in the tunnel structure is transmitted. through the core members.

6. In a tunnel or arch structure having a rounded wall, a portion of transverse rows of blocks, each block being provided with an opening, said opening in blocks in adj acent rows being in alinement, core members of greater compressive resistance per unit section, extending longitudinally within the holes or openings, whereby longitudinal thrust in the tunnel structure is transmitted through the core members.

7. In a tunnel or arch structure having a rounded wall, a portion of transverse rows of blocks, each block being provided with an opening, said opening in blocks being in alinement, core members of greater compressive resistance per unit of area inserted within said openings, the meeting points between adjacent core members being midway between the joints between the transverse rows of blocks, whereby longitudinal thrust in the tunnel structure is transmitted through the core members.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiiix HELEN M. Hora, CLINTON MULLER.

tie tee of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent Washington, D. G. g 

